Method and apparatus for extinghuishing generator fires



Sept 2 1924.

1,507,053 c. B. FLORY ET AL umnoo AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING summonFIRES Filed Oct. 5

. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept; 2 1924. 1,507,053

C. B. FLORY ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING GENERATOR FIRESFiled Oct. 5. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 2 1924. 1,507,053 c. B. FLORYET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING GENERATOR FIRES Filed oca.5. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet s I h E A" 46 1 1.28

0% 2 if ii {I H gwwe wto zs Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CURTIS B. FLORY, OF FOREST HILLS, AND FRANK A. EPPS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIGNORS TO FOAMITE-CHILDS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA-TION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING GENERATOR FIRES Application filedOctober 5, 1921.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, CURTIS B. FLORY and FRANK A. Errs, citizens of theUnited States, and residents, respectively, of Forest Hills and New Yorkcity, in the counties of (Queens and New York, respectively, and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMethods and Apparatus for Extinguishing Generator Fires, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a fire extinguishing method and apparatus andmore particularly to a method and apparatus for extinguishing firesoccurring in electric generators and has special reference totheprovision of a fire extinguishing apparatus in which a foam compoundproduced by the comixture of chemical component solutions may beintroduced or injected into the generator and carried through thewindings thereof for quickly smothering the fires therein.

The occurrence of fires in electric generators of, for example, theturbo-generator type (now being extensively used in hydroelectricplants) has been attended with wrious losses resulting, for example,from destruction of the generator windings and the enforced idleness ofthe plant due to the time consumed for making the necessary rewindingrepairs. Fires in these generators have been known to be caused by suchfactors as heavy overloads, short circuits and line surges. The immensesize of some of these generators coupled with the fact that many ofthese generators are semi-enclosed or completely enclosed by housings,removal of which is difiicult and time consuming and therefore out ofthe question in time of fire when it is essential to immediately protectthe windings from destruction, has made the fighting of generator firesa problem difficult to cope with. In order to quickly protect thewindings it is paramount to rapidly obtain a fire extinguishing agentand to introduce the same into all the interior and normallyinaccessible parts of the generator, it being required not only to savethe windings and insulation from destruction by fire, but to save themagainst the chemical and physical attack by the fire extinguishing agentitself, so that the gen- Serial No. 505,587.

erator may be capable of being put back into service without undue lossof time.

Extinguishing of fires in these generators has further been attendedwith the difficulties resulting from the utilization of air drafts orcurrents forced into the generator in the normal operation of the samefor air cooling purposes. These generators running at great speeds andheated to dangerous temperatures are usually equipped with a fan orblower mounted on the shaft of the rotor thereof, the fan or blowercausing a volume of air which may amount to thousands of cubic feet perminute to flow at hi h velocities throu h the generator and itswindings. In time of fire, the fire in the generator shows a greattendency to spread rapidly through the generator windings, the firebeing carried and fanned by the air inducted into and forced through thegenerator windings. In some enerators, in order to shut off the air suppy, inlet and outlet dampers which are closed in time of fire have beenprovided, but these dampers are attended with leakage troubles, it beingfurthermore necessary to give these dampers constant care and attentionin the maintenance of the same in order to keep the dampers in properoperating condition.

In prior met ods and apparatus for extinguishing fires occurring inthese types of generators it has been practically impossible to fulfillthe desired ends of ra idly reaching all parts of the generator, eciently extinguishing the fires therein, protecting the windings andinsulation from the quick spread of the fire fanned by the high velocityair currents and protecting the same against the destroying influence ofthe fire extinguishing agent so that the generator may be in conditionfor service soon after the fire has been extinguished and our presentinvention comprehends the provision of a method and apparatus in whichthese sought for ends are obtained in a practical and successful manner.

The principal objects of our invention may therefore be said to include,besides the provision of a method and apparatus for extinguishinggenerator fires in which a fire extinguishing agent may be rapidlyproduced and introduced into the generator for quickly smothering thefires therein, the provision of a method and apparatus of the naturereferred to in which chemical component solutions are intermixed toproduce a fire extinguishing foam which is introduced into the generatorand forced through the windings for covering same with'an extinguishingand protecting blanket of foam;

the further provision of a fire extinguishing method and apparatus inwhich the insulation and windings are free from physical and chemicalattack by the fire extinguishing agent, the generator being capable ofimmediate service in most instances after the fire has beenextinguished; the provision of such a method and apparatus in which theair currents inducted'into and forced through the generator are utilizedin carrying the foam bubbles to all inaccessible parts of the generatorand in which the filling up of the air ducts by the foam bubbles acts'as an automatic damper means and the general provision of a method andapparatus of the nature referred to which is simple of construction andwhich is capable of rapid and facile operation.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, our invention consists in the elements and theirrelation one to the-other, as hereinafter particularly described andsought to be defined in the claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of our invention,and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a generator with parts shown insection and disferent form of generator shown in cross applied thereto,and

section with a third form of our invention Figure 6 is a plan view ofthe same. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, we show one formof generator to which our invention may be applied, the said generatorbeing of the horizontal shaft type. Mounted in the opposed journal boxes10 and 11 located on a suitable foundation such as 12 is the horizontalshaft 13 of the generator. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 13 is thegenerator rotor comprising a series of windings shown diagrammaticallyand designated generally as 14. Surrounding the stator windings 14 is afixed frame 15 suitably anchored to the foundation 12 and to the saidframe 15 is fixed the stator 16, the stator comprising the usual coilsor windings. The stator windings are so constructed as to provide aplurality of air ducts 17 for a purpose that will appear hereinafter.Mounted on the rotor shaft 13 and at opposite ends of the statorwindings 14 are provided blower means for causing a draft or fiow ofcooling air to move into the generator and circulate through the partsthereof, the said blower means being generally designated as 18 andcomprising a series of spaced fan blades 19 clearly shown in Figure 2 ofthe drawings. Enclosing the rotor and stator windings at opposite endsthereof are provided the inner bells 20 and 21, the said bells beingspaced from the stator and rotor and defining inner chambers 22 and 23.Enclosing the rotor and stator of the generator and runninglongitudinally of the same is provided the housing 24 suitably connectedto the foundation 12, the said housing defining an annular space orchamber 25 between the housing and the stator coils 16. In thegenerators of the type in which the parts are completely enclosed thereis further provided an outer bell structure comprising the bell portions26 and 27 arranged on opposite ends of the generator, the said outerbells, in conjunction with the cylindrical housing 24, completelyenclosing the stator and rotor of the generator. In this type ofgenerator the space between an in ner bell 20 and an outer bell 26 formsan open ended compartment 27, the bottom or open end of this compartmentdefining an air inlet used for ventilating purposes, as will appearpresently. The chamber 25 provided by the housing 24 is also open endedat the bottom of the generator as at 28, the said open end 28 definingan outlet for the ventilating air. In the normal operation of thisgenerator a supply of cooling air is inducted intothe chambers 22 and 23by means of the blower 18, the air currents having entry through theinlet 27, the inducted air being forced by blower action into thegenerator and through the ducts 17 provided in the generator windings,the air moving into the annular space or chamber 25 and having exit atthe air outlet 28, the said air effecting a cooling of the generator toprevent the same from rising to dangerous temperatures in the normaloperation thereof.

For the purpose of rapidly producing a fire extinguishing compound oragent and for quickly introducing the same into allparts of thegenerator, our invention contemplates the production of a foam compoundand the introduction of the same into he generator and more particularlyinto the paths of the aircurrents in the generator to permit the aircurrents to carry the foam bubbles into all the interior and normallyinaccessible parts of the generator. To

accomplish these ends we provide a foam producing unit associated andcombined with the generator, one form of our foam producing unit beingshown in Figures l and 2 under consideration. In this form of ourinvention we provide preferably a plurality of spaced mixing chambers 29suitably supported on the foundation 12, a plurality of solution linesand 30 being connected in opposed relation to each of the mixingchambers 29, the. solution lines being adapted for independentlyconducting to the chambers 29 the acid and basic chemical componentsolutions which may have a composition as disclosed, for example, in thepatent to Walker, N 0. 1,259,813, dated March 19, 1918. Connected to themixing chambers 29 preferably to the central portions thereof and risingtherefrom are the foam conducting lines 31, the said lines beingconnected to horizontal piping 32, the latter being, in turn, connectedfor open communication to the chambers 22 and 23 provided by the innerbells 20 and 21 respectively, the connection to the chamber .22 beingfully shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. In time of fire the chemicalcomponent solutions are conducted, preferably under pressure, throughthe lines 30 and 30 and into opposing intermixing re lationship in themixing chamber 29, resulting in the production of a foam compound whichquickly rises in the foam lines 31 and moves through the foam piping 32and into the chambers 22 and 23 of the generator,

the air forced by the blower means 18 through these chambers beingeffective for carrying the foam bubbles in all the directions of the airpaths as indicated by the arrows, the bubbles being carried consequentlythrough the generator windings, through the ducts 17 and out to theannular chamber 25. The foam compound is rapidly produced by means ofthe foam generating unit, the foam bubbles being quickly conducted anddistributed to the fire exposed regions. The foam bubbles being of lowspecific gravity are easily picked up by the air currents and rapidlycarried thereby to all the interior parts of the generator. The bubblesmoving through the generator windings cover the latter with a blanket offire extinguishing foam resulting not only in extinguishing the firetherein, but in protecting the same against a reflash. The filling ofthe generator and the plurality of air ducts therein with the fireextinguishing foam compound acts automatically as a damper against thefurther inrush or inflow of air, the air pressure being insufiicient toremove the tenacious foam bubbles which attach themselves to all theinterior surfaces or walls over which they move. The foam compound useddoes not attack the windings or insulation either physically orchemically, damage to these parts being thus obviated. After the firehas been extinguished and the generator allowed to cool, the foambubbles when dried may be blown out by currents of air, the generatorbeing then in condition for use.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the draw ings, where similar referencecharacters denote similar parts, we provide a modified form of foamdistributing means, the said distributing means comprising a pluralityof foam nozzles 33, 34 and 35 spacedly arranged circumferentially of therotor shaft 13 and in advance of the blower provisions 18, the said foamnozzles being connected preferably to a substantially semi-circular pipesection 36, the said pipe section being connected to a main foamconducting line 37. The foam nozzles 33 to 35 are arranged as shown, forexample, in Figure 4 of the drawings, to the end that the foam isejected therefrom in the direction of rotation of the fan blades 19, asindicated by the arrow in Figure 4 of the drawings. l/Vith thisconstruction the fan blades will pick up the bubbles ejected with aconsiderable velocity from the nozzles without causing foam breakdown,the foam being inducted by the fan blades and forced into the chambersuch as 22 with the foam issuing from the fan blades in a circular orannular stream, this effecting a quick distribution of the foam into allparts of the generator.

In Figures 5 and 6 is illustrated a third form of our invention asapplied to a vertical shaft generator. In this generator the rotor 38 ismounted for rotation about a vertical axis, the said rotor beingprovided with the rotor windings 39 and with the oppositely mounted fanprovisions 40 and 41. The stator windings 42 are stationarily mounted onthe frame 43 supported on the foundation 43 in a manner similar to thegenerators shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings. The air paths inthis type of generator may be traced from the blower provisions 40 or 41into the annular chambers 44 and 45, through the stator windings 42 andinto the outer annular chambers 46 and 47. Mounted spacedly in thechambers 44 and we provide a plurality of mixing chambers, preferably ofthe type shown in the patent to Meigs and Epps, No. 1,261.422 of April2, 1918, the said mixing chambers being generally designated in Figure 5as 48 and 49. Connected to these mixing chambers are a plurality ofsolution lines 50 and 51, the said solution lines independentlyconducting the chemical component solutions for intermixture in themixing chambers 49, the foam bein produced in this form of our inventionin the annular chambers 44 and 45 of the generator. The mixing chambers48 and 49 are spacedly arranged horizontally and vertically of thegenerator,

the former arrangement being shown in Figure 6 and the latter in Figure5 of the drawings. For conducting the solutions to all the lines 50 and51 we may provide the semi-circular arranged conduits 52 and 53connected respectively to the lines 50 and 51, the said conduits beingin turn connected to main supply lines 54 and 55.

The operation of our novel fire extinguishing apparatus will, in themain, be apparent from the above description thereof. Upon theoccurrence of a. fire a fire extinguishing foam is generated in thedifierent forms of our invention and the foam is introduced eitherdirectly into the air chambers of the generator as shown in Figures 1,2, 5 and 6, or introduced in advance of the fan blades as shown inFigures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the foam being introduced n all formsof our invention in the paths of the air currents the latter beingeffective for carrying the foam into all the interior parts of thegenerator for quickly smothering the fire therein.

From the above it will be apparent that we have provided a fireextinguishing method and apparatus for extinguishing fires occurring ingenerators in which the generators may be substantially protectedagainst fires occurring therein and caus ng burn-outs of the generatorcoils, damaging or destroying the insulation thereof, such fires havinghitherto necessitated replacement of coils and at times total rewindingthereof, the generator unit having hitherto or been incapable of servicefor weeks months after the occurrence of a fire. It will be furtherapparent that with our method and apparatus fires may be quicklysmothered at low cost with the use of a small quantity of fireextinguishin medium, the fire extinguishing medium ein quickly carriedto all interior portions 0 the generator for extinguishing andprotecting purposes, the fire extinguishing medium used subjecting thegenerator to a minimum of damage, the generator being capable ofefficient service soon after the fire has been extinguished.

While we have shown our device in the preferred form, it will be obviousthat many changes and modifications may be made in the structuredisclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined inthe following claims.

We claim:

1. The method of extinguishing fires in electric generators of the typein which a draft or current of air is forced through the generator andthrough the windings thereof in the normal operation of the same whichconsists in introducing a fire extinguishing foam compound into thegenerator in time of fire and introducin the said foam compound mto thepath of t e air current,

whereby the foam is carried by the air current through the generator andthe windings for extinguishing the fire therein.

2. The method. of extinguishing fires in electric generators of the typein which a draft or current of air is forced through the generator andthrough the windings thereof in the normal operation of the same whichconsists in conducting component chemical solutions into intermixingrelationship in time of fire for the production of a foam compound andin introducing the foam compound into the generator and into the path ofthe air current, whereby the foam is carried by the air current throughthe generator and the windings for extinguishing the fire therein.

3. The method of extinguishing fires in. electric generators of the typein which the rotor and stator windings are enclosed by a housing and inwhich a draft or current of air is forced into the chamber defined bythe housing and caused to flow through the generator windings, whichconsists in introducing a fire extinguishing foam compound into the saidchamber for filling the same whereby the foam will be carried by the aircurrent in the chamber through the generator windings for extinguishingthe fire therein.

4. The method .of extinguishing fires in .electric generators of thetype in which the rotor and stator windings are enclosed by a housingand in which a draft or current of air is forced into the chamberdefined by the housing and caused to flow through the generatorwindings, which consists in conducting chemical component solutions intointermixing relationship in time of fire for the production of a foamcompound and in introducing the foam compound into the said chamber forfillin the same, whereby the foam will be carried by the air current inthe chamber through the generator windings for extinguishing the firetherein.

5. A fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination with an electrlcgenerator having a-rotor and stator and having a blower or fan mountedon the rotor for forcing a current of air through the generator and itswindings, means for introducing a fire extinguishing foam compound intothe generator in time of fire, the said means comprising elementsassociated with the blower or fan to permit the air current produced bythe latter to carry the foam through the generator and its windings.

6. A fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination with an electricgenerator having a rotor and stator and having a blower or fan mountedon the rotor for forcing a current of air through the generator and itswindings, provisions for conducting chemical component solutions intointermlxing relationship in time of fire to produce a fire extinguishingfoam compound and means for introducing the said foam compound into thegenerator, the said means comprising elements associated with the bloweror fan to permit the air current produced by the latter to carry thefoam through the generator and its windings.

7. A fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination with an electricgenerator having a rotor and stator and a housing or bell enclosing thesame and defining a chamber, the rotor being provided with a blower orfan for producing an air current in the chamber, the air current movingthrough the generator windings and means for introducing a fireextinguishing foam compound into the said chamber in time of fire, thesaid means comprising elements associated with the blower or fan topermit the air current produced by the latter to carry the foam throughthe generator and its windings.

8. A fire extinguishin apparatus, in combination with anelectrlcgenerator having a rotor and stator and a housing or bell enclosing thesame and defining a chamber, the rotor bein provided with a blower orfan 7 for producingan air current in the chamber,

the air current moving through the generator windings and means forintroducing a fire extinguishing foam compound into the said chamber intime of fire, the said means comprising a plurality of nozzles arrangedabout and in advance of the fan or blower with the nozzles turned in thedirection of fan rotation.

9. A fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination with an electricgenerator having a rotor and stator and a housing or bell enclosing thesame and defining a chamber, the rotor being provided with a blower orfan for producing an air current in the chamber, the air current movingthrough the generator windings and means for introducing a fireextinguishing foam compound into the said chamber in time of fire, thesaid means comprising a mixing chamber, a plurality of solution linesconnected to the mixing chamber and a foam line connecting the mixingchamber with the said chamber defined by the-generator bell or housing.

10. A fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination with an electricgenerator having a rotor and stator and a housing or bell enclosing thesame and defining a chamber. the rotor being provided with a blower orfan for producing an air current in the chamber, the air current movingthrough the generator windings and means for introducmg a fireextinguishing foam compound into the said chamber in time of fire, thesaid means comprising spaced mixing chambers located in the chamberdefined by the enclosing bell and a plurality of solution linesconnected to said mixing chambers.

Signed at New York in the county of New, York and State of New York,this 4th day of October, A. D. 1921.

CURTIS B. FLORY. FRANK A. EPPS.

